Freshman Moving -to A New Position

GATORS

GAINESVILLE - — Florida coach Steve Spurrier told his heralded freshmen to come in ready to play, and Tim Beauchamp seems to be - but not at the position he played in high school.

Beauchamp, one of four Parade All-Americans in UF's freshman class, has moved to defensive end from linebacker.

"I knew I was going to end up there anyway because I'm a big boy," said Beauchamp, 6 feet 3, who played at 238 pounds in high school in New Smyrna Beach. "I already weigh about 255 and I've only been here about four weeks.

"I just feel I'm more of a defensive end. I might even end up at tackle. I think I can be a better defensive lineman. My future is there."

Of the 24 freshmen who reported to practice Monday, none was more highly regarded out of high school than Beauchamp.

Beauchamp is embarking on a familiar career path - that of Kevin Carter, the former UF defensive end who was drafted No. 6 overall in April by the NFL's St. Louis Rams. Carter also was recruited as a linebacker.

"He had to work to get what he got," said Beauchamp, considered the top linebacker in the Southeast last year. "It doesn't come easy. It makes me think that yeah, I can do it. But you still have to work."

Another freshman, safety Jevon Kearse, also could grow into a new position. He reported at 6-5 1/2 and 240 pounds - almost a 20-pound gain since high school - and could get a look at outside linebacker.

Beauchamp and fellow Parade All-Americans Reggie McGrew and Ernie Badeaux all are expected to provide immediate depth on UF's defensive line. Florida also is in search of more speed at linebacker, and freshmen Keith Kelsey, Johnny Rutledge and Zuri Buchanan have it.

Tech's Piller coming?

Georgia Tech defensive lineman Zach Piller, involved in a bar fight in Atlanta this summer, will be transferring to the University of Florida, team sources said.

Piller, 6-5 and 280 pounds, will have three years of eligibility remaining after sitting out this season per NCAA transfer rules.

After starting seven games as a freshman last fall, Piller decided to leave Georgia Tech after the fight.

Former Michigan linebacker Trevor Pryce would like to transfer to Florida but might fall short academically, Spurrier said.

Pouncy back as walk-on

Monday marked the unexpected return of defensive back Carlton Pouncy, who has rejoined the team as a walk-on. Pouncy quit the team for personal reasons as a third-year sophomore in August 1993 - just as he was on the verge of breaking into the starting lineup. Shortly thereafter, Pouncy enlisted in the Army, Spurrier said. "He came to me this past week and said he wanted to come back out for the Gators," Spurrier said. "So we're going to give him another chance, and I think this time he's very serious. He was one of the first ones [to finish) in the 12-minute run, also."